PERSUASIVE SPEAKING: An original speech to convince, to move to action, or to inspire on a significant issue. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement or reinforce the message. Notes or manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes. No maximum time limit.

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING: An original, factual speech on a realistic subject to fulfill the general aim to inform the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement or reinforce the message. Notes or manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

AFTER DINNER SPEAKING: An original speech whose purpose is to make a serious point through the use of humor. The speech should reflect the development of a humorous comedic effort, not a stand-up comedy routine. Notes or manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

COMMUNICATION ANALYSIS: An original speech by the student designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a communication event such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, poster, film, campaign, etc. through the use of rhetorical principles. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement or reinforce the message. Notes or manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Limited Preparation Events

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING: Contestants will be given three topics in the general area of current events. Chose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare a speech that is the original work of the student. Notes are permitted. Sources must be cited in the speech. Maximum speaking time is 7 minutes. Judges should provide time signals.

IMPROMPTU SPEAKING: Contestants will receive short excerpts dealing with items of general interest of the proverb nature. No cited sources are required during the speech. The contestant will have a total of 7 minutes to divide between preparation and speaking. Notes are permitted. Judges should provide time signals.

Oral Interpretation Events

PROSE INTERPRETATION: A selection of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings are prohibited (prose is a short story or a cutting from a novel). Use of manuscript (black book) is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

POETRY INTERPRETATION: A selection of poetry of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

DUO INTERPRETATION: A cutting from one or more texts of literary merit, a play, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters represented by two individuals. The material may be drawn from any genre of literature, stage, screen, or radio. This is not an acting event. Thus, no costumes, props, lighting, etc. are to be used. Presentation is from the manuscript and focus should be off-stage and not to each other. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.

DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION: A cutting which represents one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. The material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

PROGRAM OF ORAL INTERPRETATION: A program of thematically linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two of the three recognized genres of competitive interpretation (prose/poetry/drama). A substantial portion of the total time must be devoted to each of the two genres used in the program. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes.